The Drum Beat 43 - Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS

PROGRAMMES



1. The ZVITAMBO Project - Zimbabwe - Intended to provide monitoring and impact information on the transmission of HIV through breastfeeding, and implemented in partnership with the government of Zimbabwe, an educational and communication intervention was developed to inform and counsel pregnant women on issues of HIV, breastfeeding and replacement feeding. Click here for a summary of the study. Contact: Jean Humphrey zvitambo@icon.co.zw



2. Short Course ZDV - Thailand - The Royal Thai Ministry of Public Health established this drug regime and interpersonal counselling programme in 1996 as a means to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV in the Phayao district of Thailand, thereby decreasing infant mortality. Contact: Agnes Soucat asoucat@mozart.inet.co.th



3. Communication Intervention for MTCT Initiative - Zambia - An effective programme on HIV MTCT was developed to create a supportive environment to facilitate attitudinal and behavioural change among mothers and the general public. Information, Education and Communication in partnership with advocacy were used to create awareness, increase knowledge, develop partnerships, reduce stigma and discrimination and ensure public support for MTCT interventions. Contact: Doreen Mulenga dmulenga@unicef.org



4. 076 Program - Brazil - Training and supervision at the Dr. Cesar Cals Hospital in Northern Brazil gave medical professionals the required knowledge and skills to plan and implement a comprehensive program to reduce MTCT. This will be the first hospital to introduce such training into the workplace in Brazil. Contact Francisco Holland research@pedaids.org



5. Community participation - Botswana & Zambia - ICRW is collaborating with the MTCT Research Team of the MTCT Working Group in Zambia and the Society of Women Against AIDS in Africa/Botswana Branch (SWAABO) to conduct qualitative resarch on community perceptions and preferences regarding planned and ongoing services to prevent HIV transmission to infants. Studies are intended to provide data on which to base design and improvements to services and development of communications programs to improve information, education, counseling, and support needs of women and communities related to MTCT prevention programmes. Contact Mary Lyn Field mfield@icrw.org



NETWORK



6. ProCAARE-Child - Global - An e-mail based communication network was established to facilitate networking and exchange of information on pediatric HIV/AIDS within the international health community with a focus in the developing world. Contact: Elizabeth Glaser Foundation research@pedaids.org



STRATEGIES



7. Pilot Initiatives - UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA and UNAIDS have launched a joint initiative, the overall aim of which is to give strong and co-ordinated leadership and guidance to countries concerning the prevention of MTCT. Principle: any national strategy to prevent MTCT should be part of broader strategies to prevent the transmission of HIV and STDs, to care for HIV-positive women and their families, and to promote maternal and child health. Pilot projects are now at various stages of implementation in eight countries in Africa. These are intended to test the feasibility and sustainability of implementing in a routine setting the findings of the research that has already been done, to measure the impact of the intervention, and to enable the refinement of strategies. Contact Eric Mercier emercier@unicef.org



8. East and Southern Africa - A communication strategy has recently been developed for MTCT, in recognition of the importance of communication as a key component of and to support MTCT. The strategy will assist countries and sites that implement MTCT to pay attention to issues of community outreach, community participation and mobilisation, advocacy, audience research, development of materials and messages, information and education. Contact: Bunmi Makinwa makinwab@unaids.org



WEB SITES



9. HIV Positive: Women and Children - Organised by The Cyber Beacon, this website provides information on many women's issues as they relate to HIV/AIDS, including guidelines and resources. website.



10. H.E.A.R.T. - Health Education and Reduced Transmission is a comprehensive website for consumers and health care providers, relaying information relating to vertical transmission of HIV/AIDS. Also, a number of resources specific to mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS are included. website.



11. Women and Children and HIV - Health Information Vermont/New Hampshire HIVNet - This website provides extensive resources for women and children with HIV/AIDS, including, statistics and fact sheets, health resources, support services, information on pregnancy and HIV, planning for the future and other links on the web. Visit: website.



STUDIES



12. HIV/AIDS and Strategies to Prevent Mother-To-Child Transmission (MTCT) - South Africa - Conducted from 1998-1999, this was '...a study of practices, representations, gender, ethics, rights, and health policy'. MTCT was reduced utilizing communication strategies involving ethnographic methods, including participant observation, interviews, open-ended and semi-structured interviews with health care workers, some focus groups, and storytelling techniques. Contact: Gill Seidel ssd@u-bordeaux2.fr



13. Influence of infant-feeding patterns on early mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 in Durban, South Africa: a prospective cohort study. - This study was conducted to review recommended policies of avoidance of breastfeeding by HIV-1 infected women and to assess whether the pattern of breastfeeding is a critical determinant of early mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1. Initial findings show that exclusive breastfeeding may provide an affordable, culturally acceptable and effective means of reducing MTCT of HIV-1 while maintaining the overwhelming benefits of breastfeeding. Full study available online at: website.



14. Project Inform Produced a Discussion Paper "Mother to Child HIV Transmission" which explores aspects of HIV+ child bearing, including prenatal care, anti-HIV therapies, delivery of the baby, breastfeeding advice and resources for support for HIV+ pregnant women. Report is available online at: Web site.



GLOBAL INITIATIVE



15. Call to Action - Global - This phased MTCT reduction programme focuses on coordinating activities to improve access and use of anti-retroviral interventions in developing nations, contributing to overall improved mother/child care. Contact: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation research@pedaids.org



GATHERINGS



16. Communication for Behaviour Development and Change - Kenya - This UNICEF conference for the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional HIV/AIDS Network maintained a significant emphasis on communication for the prevention of MTCT of HIV/AIDS. Recommendations and action plans were the output of the forum of technical presentations, plenary discussion, group discussions/work, and information markets of international print materials. Contact: Neill McKee nmckee@unicef.org



17. HIV/AIDS Response Meeting - South Africa - Held November 4-5, 1999, Health Ministers reviewed ongoing work aimed at the reduction of mother to child transmission. The Ministers committed themselves to immediately step up efforts to implement programmes in Member States aimed at promoting and supporting voluntary counselling and testing as well as strengthening the capacity of health systems to effectively deliver these services. Contact: Dieter Neuvians neuvians@harare.iafrica.com



18. On Dec.11-12, 1999, in Mumbai, India, a Conference took place on Perinatal HIV and Pediatric AIDS, hosted by the AIDS Clinic and Population Services International. The aim of the conference was to sensitize medical and paramedical communities to HIV and AIDS in terms of international intervention of HIV transmission from mother to child. Contact: Dr. J.K. Maniar jkmaniar@bom5.vsnl.net.in



19. A recent workshop on MTCT of HIV was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand to review a pilot project that found support from husbands was a crucial factor in the success of testing and drug regime interventions designed to reach HIV positive pregnant women. Contact Phaik-Choo Phuah slpcp@loxinfo.co.th



20. A multi-disciplinary symposium directed towards doctors, midwives, nurses, social workers, health visitors, teachers and other health professionals for all those concerned with the care of women and children with HIV/AIDS took place on October 11 of this year. Contact the Symposium Office symposia@rpms.ac.uk



21. Prevention of HIV Transmission from Mothers to Infants - India - This Round Table Conference brought together HIV experts and regional health workers for discussion of issues relating to ethics, testing, policy, breastfeeding, and research, and to develop protocols for implementing therapy for HIV+ pregnant women. Contact N.M. Samuel research@pedaids.org



SUPPORT



22. The National Pediatric & Family HIV Resource Center (NPHRC) - The NPHRC at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is a non-profit organization that serves professionals who care for children, adolescents and families with HIV infection and AIDS. Founded in 1990, the Center offers education, consultation, technical assistance, and training for health and social service professionals. Contact Mary G. Boland bolandmg@umdnj.edu

***

With thanks to everyone for their contributions. Please send items for The Drum Beat to the Editor, Deborah Heimann dheimann@comminit.com This issue edited by Warren Feek wfeek@comminit.com.



***

The Drum Beat seeks to cover the full range of communication for development activities. Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement or support by The Partners.


To reproduce any portion of The Drum Beat, see our policy.


To subscribe, click here.